Ocean & Earth Byron Bay Easter Classic

Broken Head, North Coast NSW
25 - 27 March 2005

Shaun Gossman claims another Title.

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 March 2005: - - The 30th Annual Ocean & Earth Byron Bay Easter Classic wrapped up today with former South African, now of Snapper Rocks, Shaun Gossman adding another title to his resume. The talented natural footer adds the Prestigious Ocean & Earth Byron Easter Classic title to an already impressive start to 2005, having already won the MP Classic for the 3rd time, and the Quiksilver Pro Trials for the 2nd time running. The event was held in solid metre and a half beach breaks just north of Broken Head.

Gossman sealed the final with 4 minutes remaining with a searing right-hander, where he belted 3 vertical on-edge re-entries, and a series of other manoeuvres after it looked like Yamba 18 year old Laurie Towner was going to take the title. Towner scored the wave of the heat in the early minutes of the final but could not find a second wave to claim the title. Towner was also in the junior final where he placed 2nd, 3rd the best he could do in the open final. Gossman will be looking to continue his roll in the coming WQS events later this year. Local Byron Bay ripper Jarred Sullivan placed 2nd almost taking the title except for a last minute fall on his final wave which could have secured him the victory. Coolangatta goofy foot Damon Harvey, although in fine form throughout the event, could not find the waves to showcase his surfing in the 20 minute final.

The Junior final was red-hot, Valla Beach surfer Heat Joske dominating, scoring the only 10 point ride of the event, and event high heat score of 18.66, Laurie Towner 2nd, Brad King of Kingscliff 3rd, and Byron lad Ellis Ericson 4th.

Byron stalwart Anthony Mikellides finally conquered his hoodoo by winning the Senior Men’s division after 11 final appearances without success, to the cheer squad of locals watching. Surfing super-coach Max Perot won the masters; Chris Friend (Maroochydore) won the cadets, Javen O’Neill the Fleas (Under 12’s).

It was a flashback to 30 years ago in the legends division (Over 50 years), Neil Cameron taking the gong, Chris Brock 2nd, founder of the Easter Classic Mick (Cosmic) Birch 3rd, and David “Baddie” Trelor 4th. Some say it was like a flashback with Brock, Trelor, and Birch all stars of the legendary surf movie “Morning of the Earth”.

The ladies were in fine form as well, Byron local Carly Smith claiming another win, closely chased by Rachel Bonhote-Mead (Goonellabah) 2nd, Bianca Linton 3rd, and Australian Junior Champion Kirra Townsend 4th.

Organisers are looking forward to next year and the 31st year of the Ocean & Earth Byron Bay Easter Classic, one of the longest running club run events in the world.

Results

Open
1st Shaun Gossman
2nd Jarred Sullivan
3rd Laurie Towner
4th Damon Harvey

Junior
1st Heath Joske
2nd Laurie Towner
3rd Brad King
4th Ellis Ericson

Senior Men
1st Anthony Mikellides
2nd Scott Myers
3rd Mick Peters
4th Matt Crisp

Open Women
1st Carly Smith
2nd Rachel Bonhote-Mead
3rd Bianca Linton
4th Kirra Townsend

Cadets
1st Chris Friend
2nd Kane Powell
3rd Garrett Parkes
4th Brent Savage

Fleas
1st Javon O’Neill
2nd Jake Sylvester
3rd Shannon Mackie
4th Nick Hoskin

Masters
1st Max Perot
2nd Zippy Pearson
3rd Ross Marshall
4th Scott Whitby

Legends
1st Neil Cameron
2nd Chris Brock
3rd Mick Birch
4th David Trelor

Junior Girls (Under 16)
1st Sophie Butler
2nd Natalie Briggs
3rd Tessa Bergin
4th Sharni Zuric

Red Hot surfing in all divisions on Day Two.

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 26 March 2005: - - The 30th Annual Ocean & Earth Byron Bay Easter Classic continued today in metre plus solid beach breaks at Broken Head on NSW Far North Coast. The surfing action was red hot from the Open division to the fleas (Under 12’s), and high scores in difficult conditions were the norm.

The Open division is now down to the semi-finals, today’s standouts being Laurie Towner (Yamba) high scoring for the day with a 9.5 and an 8, Byron Bay surfers Beau Walker, Ty Smith excelling, World Grommet Champion James Wood (Lennox), Quiksilver Pro Trials winner Shaun Gossman and Matt Jones (Yamba) other to impress on their way to the semi-finals.

The Juniors and cadets were on fire as well, Blake Wilson (Maroochydore), Heath Joske (Valla), Brad King (Kingcliff), Raina Hede, Ellis Ericson, Garrett Parkes (Byron Bay) all impressing on their way to the semi-finals.

The Open Women’s final was also decided, Byron’s Carly Smith firm as the favourite, Lismore surfer Rachael Bonhote-Mead looking up to the challenge.

The swell is predicted to increase, and competition continues tomorrow from 7.30am, with the Open semi-finals first to hit the water, finals to commence from 10 am, and competition to complete by 2pm on Sunday, with the trophy presentation to be held at the Byron Bay RSL from 6.30 pm.

Huge Field Contests 30th Annual Ocean & Earth Byron Bay Easter Classic

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 March 2005: - - A huge field of over 300 competitors contesting 9 divisions hit the water for day one of the 30th annual Byron Bay Easter Classic, held in metre plus beach breaks at Broken Head on the North Coast of NSW.

Today Open, Junior, Cadet, and Senior Men’s divisions were held with some spectacular surfing from competitors aged from 13 to 45 years of age.

The Open Men were first to hit the water, standouts being Byron Bay’s Sasha Sleigh, plus Gold Coasters Paul Fisher, Stephen Walsh all scoring heat wins along with Matt Jones of Yamba who scored the first 9 point wave of the event.

The Juniors were ripping it up, Blake Wilson (Maroochydore), Heath Joske (Valla) starring, along with Laurie Towner (Yamba) who scores an 8.5 to progress through his open heat, and scoring a 9.0 to win his junior heat as well. Local lad Ellis Ericson was the standout of the juniors, busting a huge aerial manoeuvre on one wave scoring the highest wave score of the day registering a 9.16 from the judges.

Tomorrows competition sees the day starting with round two of the Open men’s competition, where Quiksilver Pro Trials winner Shaun Gossman, along with other top seeds enter the event including; Jarred Sullivan, Anthony Mikellides, Beau Walker Dayyan Neve, Yerin Brown, Craig Warton (Byron Bay), Dan Ross (Yamba), Anthony Walsh, Adam Melling (Lennox Head), and Damon Harvey (Coolangatta).

Women’s (Open, Junior), Masters, Legends (Over 50 years), and Fleas (Under 12 will also be in the water for the first time tomorrow.

For venue location, latest results, and updates contact Terry “Tappa” Teece (Media Liaison), or Ben King (Byron Bay Boardriders) contacts listed below.

More Australasian Surfing News available here
Check the latest Australasian Surf Reports and Forecasts

Terry “Tappa” Teece
tappa@bigpond.com

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